Disposal

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
11 October 2000


Further to its press release of May 3, 2000, and in keeping with its policy of
concentrating resources on its strategic poles, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has
now decided upon particulars of the disposition of its approximately 32%
shareholding in the capital of Essilor.

Saint-Gobain, in conjunction with Essilor, has concluded that it will dispose of
this shareholding as follows:  Essilor will buy back from Saint-Gobain 10% of
Essilor's own outstanding share capital and Saint-Gobain will concomitantly and
at the same price dispose of the remainder of its shareholding through market
transactions involving both institutional and individual investors.

Market conditions permitting, it is anticipated that all of these transactions
will be carried out between now and year-end.

Investor Relations Department
Tel: Florence TRIOU-TEIXEIRA  [phone]
Mailto: [e-mail]

Tel:  Lounis BEKKAT  [phone]
Mailto: [e-mail]
Fax: [phone]